Image: Ricardo Pinto / America's Cup
It could well be billed as the ‘battle of the new age’ as two of the world’s finest young sailing talents go head-to-head for the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup title. Marco Gradoni, the mercurial and fast-coming Italian talent from Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, and Harry Melges – the latest generation of an exceptional US racing dynasty – representing NYYC American Magic, both sealed their places in the event’s upcoming Match Race Final, after four outstanding fleet races in today’s Semi-Finals – and will now go head-to-head in a one-shot, winner-take-all, race for the title, to be held on Thursday September 26.
Barcelona delivered fantastic racing conditions today – and far earlier than expected. Forecasters were predicting late afternoon breezes to eventually fill in, but just before 1330 CET up came a solid 12-17 knots from the south-west atop flat water – perfect for fast, tight, action-packed racing in the world’s most exciting new class, the AC40.
Race Director, Iain Murray was quick to release the yachts and sailors from the outstanding ‘nou’ Port Olímpic marina and the sailors were quickly on the course with J2 jibs set in a building breeze.
Speculation about how the Invited Teams would fare against the well-drilled America’s Cup teams was quickly dispelled in the opening race, when Swedish Challenge Youth Team powered by Artemis Technologies came out of the blocks fast and went on to keep everyone at bay to secure a memorable race win. Right behind were the Italians Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli who, it would prove, were about to put on a masterclass of consistency over the coming races.
By the second race of the day, a pecking order had been established, with NYYC American Magic sailing supremely and surviving a nervy last gybe to score their first win from Luna Rossa, whilst in Race 3, the Italians were a class apart, escaping from a tight pack and dominating the fleet to take their first win of the regatta.
Down the fleet though, the standings were tight, with the Athena Pathway Team from Great Britain scoring consistent podium results and by the final race were tied equal with NYYC American Magic for third. The Swedish Challenge was also close just a couple of points behind and always there to pounce on any mistakes from the top three teams in the all-important final race of the day.
As racing got underway everything was on the line for the teams vying to make the Final. However, it was Andoo Team Australia that led off the start line and went on to sail a brilliant race throughout to take a comprehensive win ahead of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. Sail Team BCN, the local heroes, scored a memorable third place, but the battle that went down to the wire was between NYYC American Magic and Athena Pathway who had begun the race tied on points for second overall.
The final windward leg saw the Americans sail a tactically astute beat to stay to the right hand side of the British – and the starboard tack advantage – to keep control. Then, on the final downwind leg, they lit the after-burners, gained a few lengths and streaked to a fourth place finish. It was brilliant sailing from the Americans that put them in a clear second place overall and earned them a spot in the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup Final.
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli topped the overall standings and also advanced to the Final. Helmsmen Marco Gradoni and Gianluigi ‘Gigi’ Ugolini have serious talent behind them in trimmers Rocco Falcone and Federico Colaninno and are eyeing the match-race format keenly.
Gigi Ugolini gave his thoughts on the final race to come, and the team’s will to win, saying: “We have been doing a lot of time on the simulator, so I think we will be ready for the final match race. I think they (NYYC American Magic) are a very good team. They show up with really good speed and really good, fast decision-making, so let's see what happens. The job is not finished: one match race, one final match-race and we’re just focused on the last day now.”
Meanwhile, over at NYYC American Magic, this is a team of well-drilled sailors led by Harry Melges and Kyle Navin on the steering wheels backed by the supreme trim talents of Severin Gramm and Finn Rowe. This is a Youth team, just like the Italians, who have been fully-integrated with their senior America’s Cup team, who have nurtured their talent brilliantly.
Kyle Navin, helmsman for NYYC American Magic was pleased to get through to the Final but well aware of the battle ahead, saying: “Definitely we were super stoked on board. The guys sailed really well today, and we just stayed focused, and kept it all together. Out on the racecourse we had a couple hard moments, but we recovered quickly and ended up making it to the final.”
Speaking about the match-race format for the Final, Navin added: “Definitely a lot of pressure but we're ready for it and you know we'll go home and do our homework over the next couple days and for sure, we’ll be ready to roll on Thursday.”
For Athena Pathway, beaten into third by NYYC American Magic, it was a close of so near, yet so far. Nick Robins, helmsman and skipper was naturally disappointed but eyeing this regatta as a stepping stone, saying: “We’re gutted that we didn't quite make it but also proud of our team for pushing until the last bit and just trying everything we could, keeping calm under pressure and sorry to not quite deliver when it counted, but proud of everybody for giving everything they could. I really hope that this is a springboard as I think what we showed out there was how cool these boats are to race. It was really tight, just really good racing and there were lots of opportunities on this track, the start was really important, but it was still a great open racetrack and lots of options for passing until the last little second.”
Meanwhile, Cole Tapper, skipper of Andoo Team Australia, and winner of the final race of the Semi-Finals was pleased with their overall performance saying: “We knew we were going to be learning the whole time and that fleet out there was another level. Unfortunately we didn't quite get those learnings down fast enough but we showed we could do it in the last race. To be out there and fighting with these guys that have been sailing in the boats for a long time, we feel so proud of what the team's done and we're just so lucky to have such an amazing group of people - our coach Harry Price has just been so good and everyone in our program is a volunteer - we just feel so lucky to have had the opportunity.”
We are set for a thrilling UniCredit Youth America’s Cup Final. A fitting final. A too close to call final. A winner-takes-all, no-holds-barred, sailor v sailor final, where the slightest mistake will be cruelly punished. This is the white-hot cauldron of the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup, and the event’s young talent has risen to the challenge.
A new champion will be crowned, but the Gradoni/Melges rivalry could well be one we will see for years and years in future regattas for the America’s Cup. First blood here could be the opening blow of a thrilling, decades-long psychological battle played out on the water.
Everything to play for, the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup Final will take place on Thursday September 26 between the opening two races of the Louis Vuitton Cup Final. Who will come out on top is impossible to predict, but fireworks are expected when these two teams face off.